Owners of seagoing ships on Friday urged the government to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, which comes into force on August 20 this year, to improve country’s image in the international arena.They made the call at a press conference jointly organised by the ship owners and Department of Shipping at a city hotel.
Speaking on the occasion, officials concerned said though the deadline for ratifying the convention ends on August 20, Bangladesh is yet to approve it due to misunderstanding between the ministries of labour and shipping.
They, however, said the decision to ratify the convention will be finalised soon. Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Jobair Ahmad and member of Bangladesh Seagoing Ship Owners’ Association Morshed Murad Ibrahim, among others, spoke on the occasion.
MLC 2006 regulates the working and living conditions of the seafarers and helps create fair competition grounds for the ship owners. – UNB
